Mesenchymal Cell News Volume 9.03 | Jan 24 2017

TOP STORY

Pericytes of Multiple Organs Do Not Behave as Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vivo

Investigators showed that the transcription factor Tbx18 selectively marks pericytes and vascular smooth muscle cells in multiple organs of adult mouse. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting-purified Tbx18-expressing cells behaved as mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. [Cell Stem Cell] Abstract | Graphical Abstract

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

IN VITRO

Potentiation of Biological Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Ischemic Conditions by Melatonin via Upregulation of Cellular Prion Protein Expression

Investigators explored the effects of melatonin on the proliferation, resistance to oxidative stress, and immunomodulatory properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Treatment with melatonin enhanced MSC proliferation and self-renewal via upregulation of cellular prion protein expression. [J Pineal Res] Abstract

Murine Rankl^-/- Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Display an Osteogenic Differentiation Defect Improved by a RANKL-Expressing Lentiviral Vector

Researchers generated and characterized bone marrow (BM) mesenchymal stromal cell (BM-MSC) lines from wild type and Rankl^-/- mice, and found that Rankl^-/- BM-MSCs displayed reduced clonogenicity and osteogenic capacity. The differentiation defect was significantly improved by lentiviral transduction of Rankl^-/- BM-MSCs with a vector stably expressing human soluble RANKL. [Stem Cells] Abstract

Pericytes from Mesenchymal Stem Cells as a Model for the Blood-Brain Barrier

Investigators used mesenchymal system cells (MSC) as a potential substitute for pericytes in a blood brain-barrier model. Both MSC and pericyte markers in 2D culture environment were evaluated on different extracellular matrix compositions. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Tonsil-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (T-MSCs) Prevent Th17-Mediated Autoimmune Response via Regulation of the Programmed Death-1/Programmed Death Ligand-1 (PD-1/PD-L1) Pathway

The authors demonstrated that human palatine T-MSCs constitutively express both the membrane-bound and soluble forms of PD-L1, which enables T-MSCs to be distinguished from MSCs originating from other organs (i.e., bone marrow or adipose tissue). They found that T-MSC-derived PD-L1 effectively represses Th17 differentiation via both cell-to-cell contact and a paracrine effect. [J Tissue Eng Regen Med] Abstract

Long Noncoding RNA Braveheart Promotes Cardiogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells In Vitro

Scientists investigated the influence of long noncoding RNA Braveheart (lncRNA-Bvht) on cardiogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vitro. Compared with the blank control and null vector control groups, the lncRNA-Bvht group presented a higher percentage of differentiated cells of the cardiogenic phenotype in vitro both under the normal condition and after hypoxia/re-oxygenation. [Stem Cell Res Ther] Full Article

IN VIVO

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in Tight-Skin Mice Identifies miR-151-5p as a Therapeutic Target for Systemic Sclerosis

Investigators showed that mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can effectively ameliorate osteopenia in systemic sclerosis (SSc) mice by rescuing impaired lineage differentiation of the recipient bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). They showed that donor MSCs transfer miR-151-5p to the recipient bone marrow MSCs in SSc mice to inhibit IL4Rα expression, thus downregulating mTOR pathway activation to enhance osteogenic differentiation and reduce adipogenic differentiation. [Cell Res] Abstract

Defining Recovery Neurobiology of Injured Spinal Cord by Synthetic Matrix-Assisted hMSC Implantation

The authors devised an adult human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal stem cell (hMSC) delivery formula by investigating molecular events involving hMSCs incorporated in a uniquely designed poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid scaffold, a clinically safe polymer, following inflammatory exposures in a dorsal root ganglion organotypic coculture system. [Proc Natl Acad Sci USA] Abstract | Press Release

Human Adipose Stem Cell Differentiation Is Highly Affected by Cancer Cells Both In Vitro and In Vivo: Implication for Autologous Fat Grafting

Scientists co-cultured either SAOS2 osteosarcoma or MCF7 breast cancer cells with human adipose stem cells (hASCs), in order to evaluate potential effects of cancer cells on hASCs differentiation, in vitro and in vivo. They observed that both SAOS2 and MCF7 cell lines induced an increase in hASCs proliferation, compared to hASCs alone, but neither changes in the expression of CD90, CD29, CD324 and vimentin, nor variations in the Twist and Slug mRNAs were detectable. [Cell Death Dis] Full Article

Tracking of Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Fluorescence Endomicroscopy Imaging in Radiotherapy-Induced Lung Injury

Researchers proposed, implemented and evaluated the use of fluorescence endomicroscopy as a novel imaging tool to track mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in vivo. Their results showed that MSCs were visible in the lungs with fluorescence endomicroscopy. They developed an automatic cell counting algorithm to quantify the number of detected cells in each condition. [Sci Rep] Full Article

Mesenchymal Cells in Colon Cancer

The authors review the intestinal mesenchymal cell-specific pathways that regulate these processes, with a focus on their roles in mediating interactions between inflammation and carcinogenesis. They discuss how increasing our understanding of intestinal mesenchymal cell biology and function could lead to new strategies to identify and treat colitis-associated cancers. [Gastroenterology] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the mesenchymal cell research field.

Cynata and FUJIFILM Sign Development and Commercialization Partnership Agreement

Cynata Therapeutics Limited has executed a license option agreement with FUJIFILM Corporation of Japan for the development and commercialization of certain Cynata technology, including Cynata’s lead induced pluripotent stem cell-derived therapeutic mesenchymal stem cell product, CYP-001. [Cynata Therapeutics Limited] Press Release

Stempeutics Receives European Process Patent for Stem Cell Drug Stempeucel

Stempeutics Research announced that the European Patent Office granted a process patent for its novel stem-cell based drug Stempeucel. Stempeucel is derived from allogeneic pooled mesenchymal stromal cells extracted from the bone marrow of healthy, adult voluntary donors. [Stempeutics Research (Saffron Media Pvt. Ltd)] Press Release

Scientists Join Massive Protest against Trump

The women in white lab coats didn’t expect to be treated like celebrities. The group of scientists, dozens strong, came to Washington DC to join the Women’s March, a massive protest against the brand-new US President, Donald Trump. But as they navigated the dense crowd near the National Air and Space Museum, the researchers were greeted by shouts of “We love science!” Eager strangers asked the scientists to pose for photographs with the signs they carried, which bore slogans such as “Stand up 4 Science” and “Science does not discriminate.” [Nature News] Editorial

Wanted: A Leader for the Toughest Job in Global Health

Global health watchers will pay close attention to Geneva, Switzerland when the World Health Organization (WHO) will announce the final three candidates to take the agency’s top job. The decision by WHO’s Executive Board, made up of representatives of 34 member states, follows months of behind-the-scenes jockeying, campaigning by the candidates, and intense speculation. It will be followed in May by a final vote by WHO’s 194 member states. [ScienceInsider] Editorial

Biotech Firm Backs Controversial CRISPR Challenger

A major enzyme manufacturer has signed an agreement with a Chinese university to explore uses for a protein claimed to be a powerful alternative to the popular genome-editing tool CRISPR–Cas9. Several scientists have failed to reproduce the results of the paper that first made the claim and doubt that the protein, NgAgo, works as a gene editor. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Keystone Symposium: Tumor Metabolism: Mechanisms and Targets
March 5-9, 2017
Whistler, Canada

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Senior Scientist – Discovery Oncology (Genentech Research)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skeletal Biology (University of Pennsylvania)

Tenure-Track Faculty Positions – Department of Biomedical Sciences (University of Pennsylvania)

Assistant Professor – Cardiovascular Repair (Bone Marrow Stem Cells)

Visiting Assistant Professor – Biology (Molecular or Cellular)

Principle Investigator – Mechanobiology Institute (University of Singapore)

Sequencing Specialist – Stem Cell and Developmental Biology (University of Copenhagen)

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Stem Cell Biology (University of Nebraska)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Scleroderma (Hospital for Special Surgery)

Independent Research Group Leaders – Stem Cell Science (University of Cambridge)

Postdoctoral Position – Mesenchymal Stem Cells (University Southern California)

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